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Wastewater treatment plant ready for the sun

Auburn’s wastewater treatment plant will now run with a little help from the sun.
The city of Auburn is holding a press conference for its Auburn Wastewater Treatment Plant Solar Project Launch at 10 a.m. Tuesday.
The plant is located at 10441 Ophir Road. Optional plant tours will follow the conference at 10:30 a.m.
The new 690-kilowatt project will power the upgraded treatment plant and is operated by Pacific Power Renewables of Auburn, according to Jennifer Harrison, spokeswoman for the city of Auburn.
The project includes a new ultraviolet disinfection system to meet permit requirements, Harrison said.
Bernie Schroeder, director of the Auburn Public Works Department, said the project is good for the city in several ways.
“The city is committed to projects that protect our environment and use the latest technology,” Schroeder said. “Updating the plant and meeting the new permit regulations required a substantial amount of money for design, construction, operations and additional power needs. Using solar panels to generate electricity drops the annual operating costs, which ultimately benefits the rate payers and the environment.”
~Staff report